Sufferer or Survivor?

batgirl · #1 11-11-2007, 11:24 AM

When you talk about yourself as having PTSD, do you call yourself a sufferer, a survivor, both, or do you use some other term? I'm curious as I've had discussions with with several people and everyone seems to have a strong opinion about it. Personally, I call myself a sufferer, for the following reasons:

I have suffered lol. Seriously though, I have suffered a lot, and I continue to suffer, no point in denying that!
To me, the word "survivor" applies to anyone who has been involved in a trauma. And not everyone who has trauma develops PTSD.
The word "survivor" also suggests, to me anyways, that the problem is over. For example, you call someone a cancer survivor when they are in remission or cured. You don't called someone with schizophrenia a "schizophrenia survivor", because there is no cure for schizophrenia, it's a permanent condition. Similarly, PTSD is a permanent condition, no cure yet.
"Survivor" just sounds too PC to me for some reason. I think it's overused. It's become "hip" to be a survivor.

Anyways those are just some of my thoughts. I'm curious what everyone else thinks!

becvan · #2 11-11-2007, 11:34 AM

I also use the term sufferer for the exact same reasons you posted. Well said.

bec

veiled · #3 11-11-2007, 12:52 PM

Some days when I am going strong and so "non PTSD" (OK, I still am a bit of a shut in but I am speaking emotionally and mentally before) I feel like a true survivor. Then when it smacks me flat on my ass sick to the point I know I will die any second for days on end, I am a sufferer. It just seems for me what day you catch me on if I consider myself a sufferer or survivor.

hodge · #4 11-11-2007, 04:21 PM

Well, I voted for using both terms, but I don't use them interchangeably, since to me they have such different connotations. I very much agree and relate, Evie, with all the points you cited. I used to favor "survivor," but, let's face facts: I do suffer! Yeah, I survived, but I'm still suffering. So I guess I'm way more accepting of the term "sufferer" now. And surviving isn't my ultimate goal . . . well, okay, sometimes it is . . . but beyond that, I want to thrive, create, live well, and be a good human being. I'm thinking of Maslow's scale of self-actualization. I feel like I'm not articulating exactly what I want to say - mush brain is striking again - but hope this makes sense.

Marlene · #5 11-11-2007, 10:04 PM

I voted for using both terms. Everyone used a lot of good points that I relate to.

Evie-you're right, survivor is very overused to the point of not having much meaning anymore.

Veiled-feeling non-PTSD. I like this term. Then that little voice says 'maybe everything's gone/going away' and then something else pops up and it's 'hello PTSD' once again.

Hodge-my therapist suggested using the term thriving instead of survivor because, like Evie said-it's never cured and is always there. But learning to thrive and live your life well in spite of the PTSD is a big thing.

OK, now that I've copied off of all of your papers...thanks.

Lisa

Claire · #6 11-11-2007, 11:43 PM

I dont use either really. I have PTSD but I refuse to be a sufferer. I do suffer with it but I am not a sufferer. To me the term sufferer feels defeatest. I am determined to reclaim my life and I refuse to let PTSD win. I am a survivor of my crash but not of PTSD because that's a thing I'm still working on. I'm lucky too. I often think to myself I'm lucky despite all the bad things.

kers · #7 12-11-2007, 11:16 AM

Interesting poll! I enjoy reading everyone's opinions.

When I speak about my PTSD, I simply say, "I have PTSD." In my head when I think about, say, the forum, I think "people with PTSD."

I don't really like the terms sufferer or survivor. Sufferer I dislike because it makes me feel like I have a sticky, gross disease that clings to me, and I don't want to feel like I can't be free of this. And survivor because that's a term for surviving trauma. Which, yeah, I did, but it sounds so...prideful. And like the trauma is the center of my life. Which, yeah, it is right now, but I hope it won't be. To me when I'm finially a survivor, it will be because I'm not defining myself by the trauma anymore.

My thoughts are kind of convoluted.

batgirl · #8 14-11-2007, 01:42 PM

Thanks everyone, I don't have much to say right now but I have really enjoyed reading everyone's responses! Thanks so much for sharing, you've all made great points.

rt1967 · #9 14-11-2007, 05:25 PM

Thats a good question Batgirl its interesting how people see it differently.Thinking about it might say i have been diagnosed with disorder that i can't seem to understand or know how is seperate from who i am (whoever that is ) :-).It causes suffering to myself and those around me.

Somber_Resplendence · #10 15-11-2007, 10:21 AM

This may sound strange, but I never realized that there was another word I could use for what I was besides survivor.

I like sufferer much better though...I have suffered, and I'm sick of being told that I'm a survivor, because, well, I guess I'm sick of surviving...it's essentially all I've done my whole life and sometimes I honestly think 'so what if i survived?' Just because I survived a series of moments, and periods of time doesn't mean I'll survive in the long run...

Didn't mean to be so morbid, but hey, this is for PTSD right?